(march 25th, 2004)

So I kinda scared James and Christain off.

Oh, who's James and Christain? You know the two dickheads who were picking on Jev? Yeah, them. That's James and Christain. I told them off.

It was two days after I had figured out what was going on with Jevin. I was going to wait for the next time Jev had art to confront the two boys, so Jevin could be there and I could impress- I mean- ..inspire Jevin to stick up for himself too. But, I kinda got impatient and I was just getting a lot angrier while waiting so I just went for it.

I found James and Christain near the west entrance after school, and decided I might as well talk to them. I had a concerning amount of confidence welling up inside me as I approached them. I didn't really stop to think if Jevin would mind me sticking up for him -- I know some people do, for some reason -- but I was already saying hello when the thought crossed my mind. Too late now.

"Oh, hey." Christian gave me a wave and a smile. I would've thought he was a nice, approachable guy if I didn't have more context. "You're Wels, right? The music kid?"

I nodded. "That's me. And you're the art kids, right?"

James and Christain exchanged glances, and James laughed. "Usually we're known as the soccer kids, but okay."

"Speaking of, you have a good build for soccer." Christian noted, "You wanting to try out for the team?"

"I'm good, thanks though." I shrugged, trying to keep my face neutral. "I just know you two through my friend in Art."

"Oh yeah? What's their name?"

"Jevin." I said. I straightened my stance and sized them up, trying to be as imposing as I possibly could. I don't know how mad I looked, but they looked pretty concerned so I bet I was doing well at looking pissed.
They were both silent for a while, and I took that as an opportunity to just keep talking.

"He loves art, you know." I said. "He always talks about it. Though lately he's seemed less… happy about the class."

"Oh yeah?" James croaked.

Holy shit they seem genuinely scared of me

"Yeah." I continued. "Apparently, some dickbags have been picking on him."

"Oh… oh shit-" Christian said, nudging his buddy. "What are you gonna- do about it…?"

"I won't have to do anything if they stop and apologize." I smiled, "Which I'm sure they will, after they realize what they're doing is wrong, and is really damaging Jev's self esteem. I'm sure they're good people at their cores. Don't you think?"

"Y-yeah." James nodded, grabbing Christians hand and tugging him away. "We… c'mon, look, the bus is here let's... Let's go Christian. Nice chat- Wels..."

I grinned as they walked away, and waved. "Nice chat!"

As I walked back around the school to where I was to be picked up, some lyrics came to my mind. I brought out my notebook to write them down…

'You're guilty
Of getting murdered with words
Y'all are outgunned
Go home nerds'

I laughed to myself.

For the first time in forever... I rolled my eyes, ...Not a love song.

…

Now, earlier today.
I was eating lunch, and it was two days after that whole encounter. Jevin had art today. I sat anxiously at our usual lunch table with xB, bouncing my leg.

James and Christain will have seen Jev today. I thought, I hope they apologized. They better have goddamn apologized.

Just then, Jevin walked over and sat down next to me. He had a huge grin on his face and he rifled through his papers.

All my anxiousness drained from my body when I saw his smile.

"Wels, xB-- hi! Look!" He slapped a paper down on the table, and looked up at me, "I finished my Zentangle!"

He was talking about art. He was happy.

Mission success. I thought, giving myself a metaphorical pat on the back. I grinned back at him, then turned my attention to his art. It was really cool, consisting mostly of triangles and diamonds. He was right, it was kinda like a mandala. I'd try to recreate what it looks like here, but I would probably butcher it to be honest--

I tilted my head back to face Jev. I tousled his hair, "It looks great, Baby Blue. Really!"

Jevin and xB both laughed, "'Baby Blue'?" Jev asked, "Where'd that nickname come from?"

"Your hair, duh." I answered,

xB, who goes through my lyric notebook every chance he gets, quirked an eyebrow. "Don't you have a lOvE sOng cal-- HEY OW-"

I smacked his arm, giving him a pointed look. "No, I do not."

Jevin blinked. "Wh-"

"Yeah, you do." xB interrupted, his lips curled up into a smirk.

I made a face at xB. "I hate it here."

Jevin batted his eyelashes at me, patting my shoulder. "No, you don't."

Feeling my cheeks heat up, I sighed. "No, I don't."